Sabres well-represented on World Junior camp rosters

Training camp rosters for the 2015 IIHF World Junior
Championships are being announced, and the

Buffalo Sabres are well-positioned to have several prospects take part in the annual event set to
take place December 26-January 5 in Montreal and Toronto.

On Tuesday, a pair of developing forwards, Hudson Fasching and
J.T. Compher, were named to Team USA’s group that will begin practice sessions Tuesday, December 16 in Boston.

Fasching proved his worth for Team USA as a versatile power
winger at last year’s tournament, collecting two goals and four points as the
Americans finished out of medal contention. His name sounds like he drives a
Bentley, but he has the frame and improved skating game to hit like a truck
when he needs to. He executed well in all three zones as Team USA evaluated talent at August’s National Junior Evaluation Camp (NJEC) in Lake Placid, NY. Fasching got his sophomore campaign off to a good start with
the University of Minnesota, bagging five goals in his first eight games, but
has gone without a point over his last two weekends.

The reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Compher was well
on his way to making last year’s squad before blocking a shot and suffering a
foot injury prior to the final roster being named. The University of Michigan forward
has produced 10 points (3+10) in his first 13 games this season, but while he
is not piling up eye popping numbers, he’s made an impact nightly with his disruptive
presence and two-way tenacity. Compher produced two helpers in a blowout
victory over Sweden at the NJEC while seeing time at the time on the power
play.

To the shock of no one, forwards Sam Reinhart and Nick
Baptiste were named to Team Canada’s camp roster on Monday. The duo was among
Canada’s top performers at Canada’s National Junior Team Development Camp in
August, setting the stage for key roles when the final roster is announced. The Canadians begin camp workouts Thursday, December 11 in
Toronto.

Reinhart collected five points (2+3) at the 2014 tournament
and is a favorite to wear the “C” for the 2015 entry. Long established as an
elite playmaker, Reinhart has recorded points in all 11 games (6+17) since
returning to the WHL, leading the ICE to a 9-2 mark. He’ll be relied on not
only for his offense, but also for his poise on the penalty kill and his
all-around calming presence as Canada looks to win gold on home soil.

A speedy, physical competitor, Baptiste last wore Canadian
colors at the 2013 Under-18 World Championship where he picked up three goals
and eight points in the tourney’s seven games. The disappointment of not
getting a U20 selection camp invite a year ago is long in the rearview mirror. He’s
now one of two right-wingers on the camp roster, and with a 45-goal season on
his resume, is all but a lock to join Reinhart on the final roster.

A member of the 2014 Tournament All-Star Team, hulking defenseman
Nikita Zadorov has been included on Russia’s camp roster for a second kick at
the can. The Sabres have yet to address the situation publicly, but leaving
the Sabres for a month would not at all stifle his long-term development. In
fact, it could assist in his overall maturation.

While not formally announced, Vaclav Karabacek has been
tabbed to skate for the Czech Republic. An ankle injury sidelined the 2014
second-rounder during the Czechs' visit to North America camps over the summer,
but his play in the 2014 QMJHL playoffs, April’s Under-18 Worlds, and more
recently with Gatineau (four goals in his last four games) have him firmly on
the Czech radar. The north-south winger will be ready to go when the Czech’s
begin camp on Dec. 10.

***

Victor Olofsson is expected to be included when Sweden announces their World Junior roster next week. The MODO sniper looked good over the summer in Lake Placid, and currently leads all U20 players in SHL scoring.

Despite an injury riddled start the year, Jonas Johansson is
still in the running for one of three goaltending spots for Team Sweden. He was
the top goalie for Sweden at the U.S. NJEC, but was left off the roster at
the recent 4 Nations Tournament, which historically is used to evaluate top U20 talent.

***

Among the snubs are high-scoring winger Justin
Bailey and defenseman Anthony Florentino, who were both left off the Team USA camp list.

After being ignored by USA Hockey over the summer, Bailey has done nothing but elevate his play at virtually every facet
of the game this season with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers. He’s bigger, faster, stronger, and above all else, more potent
with the puck on his stick. He ranks in the OHL’s top 20 with 15 goals (11th)
and 30 points (17th).

Florentino was one of the surprises at the NJEC with smooth
execution and capable hitting game. He was considered a dark horse to make the
camp list, but could have been a good option for the American coaching staff as a
two-way defensive spark. The Providence College sophomore has collected four
assists in 12 games this season.

Related Post

Author

Kris Baker was raised in a hockey rink. When you were watching Star Wars, he was watching Peter Puck. Bakes' favorite food is chicken soup from the vending machine, and he'd register a Zamboni with the DMV if allowed.